New Voyager, Took a hard look tonight

[coacha]

A small group of riders from my Retreads group were going over to the local Kaw dealer to look at the new Voyager today. I told them it is a pretty bike but be prepared for the price the dealership is asking. I don't think they will move off the $17.5K that is on the sticker (non ABS). They told me this is the only one they are getting. I guess they must really like having it in the show room.

[glwilson]

Coacha; $17,500? You're right... they are going to own that bike a while I would think.

I went to the HD dealer to look at the Ultra they had setup for shorter riders... it was nice. Handled well and had as much chrome and accessories as I would ever want.

Asking price? $20,000 marked down from 23,500. They said they would give me $6,000 for my bike as well. The worst part for HD is that my wife didn't think the salesman was very nice. She thought that he thought a lot of himself. She didn't like his comment about my Nomad being a bike I needed to upgrade from.

She said the Kawa salesman was far nicer and seemed more interested in what we were looking for. (Got to be careful when the women are involved with a sale... I tell you... it can stop a sale from ever happening!)

So... apparently from the opinions from the rest of you... $15,500 with a $6k trade-in on my '04 1500FI seems reasonable on a new Voyager.

We'll just wait to see what the Titanium look like when it gets in. Maybe we'll own one before this is all over with.

[elkhunter]

It seams everyone that doesn't own a 1700 wants to pick it apart? That's not a bad thing, but what about all the things that have been improved on? The 1700's are really nice bikes.

I find the power, low and high speed handling and ride to be much improved. 1700cc and a 6 speed.

Elk Hunter

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by elkhunter

It seams everyone that doesn't own a 1700 wants to pick it apart? That's not a bad thing, but what about all the things that have been improved on? The 1700's are really nice bikes.

I find the power, low and high speed handling and ride to be much improved. 1700cc and a 6 speed.

Elk Hunter

Change isn't easy for most... and certainly change isn't easy when a lot of things have been changed! Hopefully that made sense. So... with changes comes scrutiny. I assume in time this will pass to some degree.

In my case I am interested in buying a Voyager; thus am a bit detailed in my observations during the process of justifying the purchase.

In all honesty... my nomad is a low-mileage unit; and basically serves all my needs well (as long as I pack a travel-bag on the rack to account for not having a hard luggage bag).

I bought it at an exceptional price and owe nothing on it. If I were to be practical... I would just keep riding it and save money. ;)

[coacha]

OH NO...Practical? Who is practical? Apparently you haven't succumbed to chromania or farklenitis like some of us have.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by CoachA

OH NO...Practical? Who is practical? Apparently you haven't succumbed to chromania or farklenitis like some of us have.

Thanks for slapping some sense of "inpracticality" back into me Coacha!!! I was almost down for the count for a moment there!

[coacha]

That's what we are here for brother, to keep those of us that start to stray off the path back toward the true essence of KawaNOWdom...a fully blinged out ride with no thought of practicality. Glad I could help you out.

Now...go buy something for your bike...maybe some new chrome or even a matching 1700!

[dhomoney]

Originally Posted by elkhunter

It seams everyone that doesn't own a 1700 wants to pick it apart? That's not a bad thing, but what about all the things that have been improved on? The 1700's are really nice bikes.

I find the power, low and high speed handling and ride to be much improved. 1700cc and a 6 speed.

Elk Hunter

I haven't seen one in person yet, so I can't say one thing about it other than I live the Cruise, Belt, 6 speed, and 1700cc. I don't know about the bags, in all reality the bags on the 1600 and 1500 is very thick plastic. They really are great bags. I actually like the side opening bags, with bag liners you can really cram a lot of $hit into them. Hell just today I had my range bag with 200 rounds of 9mm and 160 rounds of 5.45x39 rifle ammo in it, along with mags, ears and other needs and it fit all into a single bag with nary a problem. I am looking forward to seeing a 1700 though. I have no doubt they are great bikes.

[putt]

[quote author=dhomoney board=1700garage thread=11981 post=195033 time=1246851707 Hell just today I had my range bag with 200 rounds of 9mm and 160 rounds of 5.45x39 rifle ammo in it, along with mags, ears and other needs and it fit all into a single bag with nary a problem.[/quote]

A saddlebag with 360 rounds, mags and "other needs"? Hey, ya' know what, I've decided that I prefer the old bags too. Ya' never know, I may ride through Oklahoma some day.
And we've got to get Mr. Wilson to pull the trigger (not literally). How about this...you can probably retrofit the old side loaders to the new 1700?

[dogdoc]

If Kawa could also come up with better paint colors it would sure help. having only 2-3 colors schemes and poor ones at that is ridculous. NO offense to anybodies bike or colrs. Im just stating MY opinion. Yours may and will vary as TC says.

[dhomoney]

Don't feel bad guys. Doc is just pissed he didn't get the fastest bike, black. :)

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by dhomoney

Don't feel bad guys. Doc is just pissed he didn't get the fastest bike, black. :)

Right on! Well played, my friend.

[jamiep24]

Pull it! Pull it! Pull that trigger!
Doc: That Titanium-colored Voyager sure looks sharp.

[jamiep24]

Got 'em for $15,799 here in Ms.

[paulo]

Can anyone comment on how comfy --or not--the seats are.
I read an interesting review byan 'american voyager assoc.' member today----here's the link.

http://www.amervoyassoc.org/Voy1700VROCImpession.htm

This article mentions a vibration affecting the passenger---says its from the seat/backrest/trunk.

Also--had a neighbor take one out for a demo ride yesterday---he liked the titanium/blk---and had only one neg comment---says the seat seamed to push him forward-and making it uncomfortable---but he's 6 foot plus and 220----any comments-----Am 5-9 myself--so will have to check out myself----